Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Central America grew from 1.3 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 1.5 million tonnes in 2022, followed by a sharp decline to 1.3 million tonnes in 2023. Domestic production followed a similar trajectory, increasing steadily until 2022 before falling back.

In 2019, environmental factors in Costa Rica, including reports of pesticide residues in rivers and a focus on agricultural sustainability, began shaping waste management practices that could influence the supply and demand for milling by-products like wheat bran.

Market growth in 2021 and 2022 was accompanied by a drop in imports, indicating greater domestic production capacity. The subsequent contraction in 2023 returned market volume to levels near those of 2018.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

In Central America, production of wheat bran, sharps and residues reached 1 354 thousand metric tons in 2020, showing only a marginal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 316 thousand metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 361 thousand metric tons. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central America's production of wheat bran, sharps and residues increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 244.7 million US dollars, marking a slight rise of 1.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 13.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Central America

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of wheat bran, sharps and residues from Central America showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, representing a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 21 174 metric tons, indicating a decrease of 10.0% from the previous year. The peak export volume was 23 522 metric tons in 2019, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 70.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for wheat bran, sharps and residues from Central America exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.8 times. In 2020, exported volumes were valued at 3 826 thousand US dollars, which is 8.6% lower compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 4 187 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 70.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary buyer of wheat bran, sharps and residues from Central America, consistently accounting for 0.6% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat bran, sharps and residues to Central America

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imports of wheat bran, sharps and residues into Central America increased in 2020. Imports reached 47 119 metric tons, representing a 4.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 9.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 215 metric tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Nigeria were the leading suppliers of wheat bran, sharps and residues to Central America, together accounting for 60.7% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Central America imported wheat bran, sharps and residues valued at 8 462 thousand US dollars, which is 11.3% lower compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 11.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 904 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Nigeria made the largest contribution to imports in value terms, together representing 58.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020